Jordan Watt earned a hat-trick for the second-straight game, as the Johnstown Tomahawks defeated the Wenatchee Wild 4-3 on Friday night at the Cambria County War Memorial. The Tomahawks have now won four-straight games, and pulled within five points of first place Port Huron.
Watt opened the scoring for the Tomahawks less than two minutes into the game, firing a shot past goaltender Chase Perry. Zach Wallace and Brandon Reinholz each added the assists on the goal.
Wenatchee tied the game on a Brandon Schrader goal at 6:58 of the first period, before Parker Tuomie scored on a rebound to give Wenatchee the lead at the eleven minute mark. Tuomie added his second of the game later in the first, with Troy Loggins picking up his second assist of the game.
Watt pulled the Tomahawks within one, scoring from the right side of Perry at 14:42 of the second period. Dakoda Menslage and Shane Bednard added assists on the power-play goal.
Watt earned his second hat trick in as many games in the third period, scoring at 6:26. The goal was Watt’s seventh in the last three games. Bednard added the assist on the goal. Later in the period, Joe Drabin scored on a shot taken as he was falling to the ice. The puck slid just inside the right post, giving the Tomahawks the lead at 12:05.
Alex Okicki earned his third straight win, stopping 27 of 30 shots. Okicki now has 52 career regular-season wins in as an NAHL goaltender. Perry took the loss, allowing four goals on 23 shots. The Tomahawks went 1-for-3 on the power-play, while going 5-for-6 on the penalty kill.
The Tomahawks close out their weekend series with the Wenatchee Wild tomorrow night at 7 p.m. The Tomahawks honor local police and firefighters as part of the second annual Guns & Hoses Night, presented by L&M Excavating. The fun begins with the charity game at 5 p.m., when local police and firefighters square off to benefit local charities. The Tomahawks will wear special Guns & Hoses jerseys, which will be auctioned off after the game to benefit Special Olympics Pennsylvania. Fans are also encouraged to stay for a special post-game fireworks display, presented by Starfire Corporation.
To purchase tickets, visit www.johnstowntomahawks.com, call 1-800-745-3000, or stop by the War Memorial Box Office.